“My heart is on fire for the things I haven’t done, and I’ve yet to grow tired of being on the run. It’s my ever restless spirit – sometimes it brings me down. And the only way I know to stay afloat is by kickin’ round from town to town. Cuz’ I’ve been too long in one place Got the whole world at my feet and I can’t wait I’m taking off I must escape – cuz’ I’ve been too long in one place

(Barefoot Movement – Too Long in One Place

After being on the road for two months, we were excited to be home. We were looking forward to reconnecting with our Flagstaff friends – and we’ve done that with a passion. Hardly a day or night has gone by since we’ve been home that we haven’t gotten together with someone…to play, to pass the time and catch up, to eat or enjoy the local night life. We were looking forward to all the outdoor activities Flagstaff offers. We’ve been out mountain biking, mountain hiking, trail running, paddling, camping, etc. We’ve been getting after some long overdue home projects and general maintenance. So, yeah, it is good to be home.

A good deal of our time at home, however, has been spent prepping for our next adventures – ten days in the San Juan or La Plata mountains in SW Colorado, three weeks of backpacking on the John Muir Trail, Imogene Pass Run (again), a two week paddle up Lake Powell, and some extended quality time below the rim up at the Canyon. That gets us to the end of October! Because of the length and nature of these trips, there’s a fair amount of work to be done preparing food, organizing gear, taking care of logistics, and coordinating with all the fine folks who will be adventuring with us.

Even though our plate is full of exciting adventures, I share John Muir’s sentiment, “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” Several of our good friends have shared their experiences in Scotland. “You should totally go” they say. “You’d love it!” Why, yes, I’m sure we would. And we say to each other, “Wouldn’t it be nice to visit Scotland (in spite of the rain)? Maybe we could combine that with a return trip to Norway. Wouldn’t it be fun to take our bicycles and tour – yes, in spite of the rain! If we biked and camped it wouldn’t cost that much! Maybe we could extend it to other parts of Europe?” But then Mike and Lori, and then the Smoldering Whartons and their beautiful girls wax poetic about the wonders of New Zealand. “You should totally go” they say. “You’d love it!” Why, yes, I’m sure we would. And then we talk to other friends and see pictures of the alps, and the coast of Greece, and Croatia and Montenegro – who wouldn’t to grab a ruck sack and head to those places? But then, there is so much to see closer to home. For years we’ve talked about returning to the Canadian Rockies. We were there backpacking with Aaron when he was only six months old, and we’ve been trying to get back ever since. And what about sea kayaking in Georgian bay on Lake Huron – the pictures are amazing! And speaking of kayaking, haven’t we talked about going back to the Pacific around Vancouver island? And southern Utah…I mean…come on…southern Utah is a world apart! And not just Utah, but Colorado, the Grand Canyon, the entire southwest! There are several life times of exploration to be done within a few hours drive. And the grand kids. Oliver is shredding it on his mountain bike and Kiri just started walking. And family, and friends, and, and, and, and….”My heart is on fire for the things I haven’t done.“

Ah…the curses and joys of wanderlust. We are well aware of the curse. The constant desire to see what is over the horizon can blind you to the every day beauty all around. We try hard to be mindful of the joy of friendships and experiences right before us. Life is too short to waste a single day, especially just wishing to be somewhere else. The joy of wanderlust though is to be forever energized and excited by experiencing new places, meeting new people and making new friends. Mark Twain said it well. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” So, as we like to say, seize the carp! Today! Tomorrow! Right where you are or over the horizon! With us or on your own!